Amusement apparatus.



G. G. TILYOU.

AMUSEMENT APPARATUS.

APPLIGATION FILED DEC. 21 1907.

Patented Nov. 10, 1908.

Wilneas es THE N RRIs PETERS ca. wasumm'orv. n. c.

GEORGE O. TILYOU, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

AMUSEMENT APPARATUS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 10, 1908.

Application filed December 21, 1907. Serial No. 407,581.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, GEORGE G. TILYoU, a citizen of the United States, residing at New York city, Brooklyn, county of Kings, and State of New York, have invented new and useful Improvements in Amusement Apparatus, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to an amusement apparatus consisting essentially of a rotating cylindrical barrel having an inner helical passage adapted to accommodate a number of passengers. These passengers enter one end of the barrel by means of a chute and are compelled to travel along the passage by the rotation of the barrel, to be discharged at the other end thereof. In this way a pleasing and healthful exercise is obtained.

In the accompanying drawing: Figure 1 is a vertical longitudinal section of my improved amusement apparatus; Fig. 2 a front view of the barrel; Fig. 3 a rear view thereof, and Fig. 4 a plan, partly in section, of the barrel and adjoining parts.

A barrel 10 is supported in a horizontal, or substantially horizontal, position upon two sets of friction wheels 11, 12, adapted to impart an axial rotation to the barrel. As shown, a power-shaft 13 journaled in bearings 14, rotates, by bevel gears 15, a pair of shafts 16 journaled in bearings 17 and carrying the wheels 11, 12. Barrel 10 is open at both ends to freely admit the light and air, and is provided with an inner spiral passage 18 extending along the barrel from end to end thereof. Passage 18 is formed by an inner threaded lining within the barrel, the convolutions of which are sufliciently wide to freely accommodate one or more passengers. The outer walls of these convolutes are bulged or trough-shaped in cross section, so that the passengers will be held by gravity at the center of the convolutes during the rotation of the barrel. In this way any objectionable contact of the passengers with the side walls 18' of the convolutes will be prevented. The first convolute of the spiral is extended forward to form a circular edge or rim flush with the front edge of the barrel, thus constituting a receiving chamber 19. In like manner, the last convolute of the spiral is extended rearwardly to the rear edge of the barrel to form a delivery chamber 20. In order to separate the several convolutes of the spiral and thus prevent the passengers from climbing from one into the other, a helical screen or open-work partition 21 is fitted into the barrel. The pitch of this screen is equal to that of passage 18 and its threads are connected to and form inner continuations of the threads or side walls 18 of the passage with which they register. In this way the desired separation is effected without obstructing the admission of air and light.

The passengers enter the receiving chamber 19, by means of a fixed inclined spiral chute 22, the lower end 23 of which enters the receiving head of barrel 10 and projects over the inner circular edge of chamber 19, so that a safe transfer of the passengers is effected. Chute 22 is mounted in a cylindrical casing 24 and winds around a hollow upright post 25 within said casing. In post 25 is supported the spindle of a crank handle 26, rotated by a motor 27, and adapted to actuate a rattler 28. This rattler, as well as motor 27, is concealed by a hopper 29 formed on upper end of casing 24, this construction having for its object to simulate a meat chopping machine.

In operation, the passengers will slide down chute 22 to enter front chamber 19 of spiral passage 18, along which they will be conveyed by the rotation of the barrel. After passing through the latter, the passengers will be discharged from the rear chamber 20 by means of a spout 30, overlapped by the delivery end of the barrel so that an exhilarating and pleasing exercise is obtained.

I claim:

1. An amusement device provided with a rotatable barrel having an inner helical passage open at the top throughout its length and whose side walls terminate short of the longitudinal center of the barrel, the ends of the barrel being open to freely admit light and air to the barrel and the passage.

2. An amusement device provided with a rotatable barrel having an inner helical passage open at the top throughout its length and whose side walls terminate short of the longitudinal center of the barrel, the ends of the barrel being open to admit light and air to the barrel and the passage, a receiving chamber disposed at one end of the barrel and having a circular rim, an inclined chute overlapping the circular riln at the lowermost portion of the latter, and means for rotating the barrel.

3. A11 amusement device provided with a 5 rotatable barrel having an inner helical passage open at its top and whose side walls terminate short of the longitudinalcenter of the barrel, the ends of the barrel being open to freely admit light and air to the barrel 10 and the passage and a helical reticulated screen extending across the barrel and con necting corresponding side walls of the helical passage.

Signed by me at New York city, (Brookly11,) N. Y., this 18th day of December, 1907.

GEORGE C. TILYOU. Witnesses:

ARTHUR L. LEE, EDWARD J. TILYoU. 

